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A Cathaoirleach, a Sheanadóirí,
As you know, today is the 70th anniversary of the Republic coming into effect and therefore, a fitting day for me to have the opportunity to speak to you. Becoming a Republic changed our relationship with Britain, it resolved a number of constitutional issues, some significant, some symbolic, and it enabled us to engage with the world in a different way. It was an important stepping stone on the way to our country taking its place among the nations of the world.
While we declared a Republic many times in our history, it was the first time it was recognised internationally.
This morning, I want to talk about those very same issues, 70 years on. Our relationship with Britain and Northern Ireland, especially in the context of Brexit, and how we engage with the world.
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Republic, the Government has organised an event with the Royal Irish Academy later this evening to discuss the events of 1948 and 1949 and assess their significance.
Preparing for it, I have been reading some of the debates that took place in the Oireachtas during the passing of the bill where it had all party support. Some of the best speeches were made in this Chamber.
For example, a remarkable woman, Fianna Fáil’s Senator Helena Concannon, captured the emotion of what was happening when she said that it was ‘a poor Irish heart that would not feel its pulse quicken’ when a bill with the title of the ‘Republic of Ireland’ came before it. She said it was proof that ‘the death and the sufferings of those who fought in 1798, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were not in vain’.
Ireland is one of the oldest continuous democracies in the world.
The 1949 Act was an important stepping stone in our State’s constitutional evolution.
Today all of us in this Oireachtas follow on the same path.
Recent events have reminded us of the importance of national parliaments working together in the national interest. Both Houses of the Oireachtas showed a unity of purpose in their approach to Brexit and I want to thank you for your help and hard-work.
As you know, we have been working intensively across government to prepare for all eventualities, including a no-deal scenario. Members of this House have played their part and thank you for your cooperation in facilitating the swift passage of the Brexit Omnibus Bill through this Chamber last month.
This landmark piece of legislation, crossing the remit of nine Government Departments, focuses on protecting Irish citizens, assisting businesses and jobs, and securing ongoing access to essential services and products.
Our work complements the steps underway at EU level to implement measures to mitigate the impact of a no-deal Brexit.
The Withdrawal Agreement contains a commitment from the UK that Brexit will not result in any diminution of the rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in the Good Friday Agreement. I have discussed with Prime Minister May the responsibilities of the UK Government under the Good Friday Agreement, with or without a deal.
No matter what happens, there are a number of areas on which we can provide reassurance for Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland.
Irish citizens in Northern Ireland will continue to be European citizens in all circumstances. They will continue to enjoy the right to travel and work and study freely throughout the EU, benefitting from the important rights not to be discriminated against on the grounds of nationality while doing so.
The Common Travel Area will also be maintained in all circumstances. This will enable Irish citizens and British citizens to continue to move freely and reside in either jurisdiction. They will continue to enjoy a range of rights and privileges in each other’s countries, including the right to live and work as well as to access healthcare, housing, education, pensions, social benefits and the rights to vote in each other’s local and parliamentary elections.
Even in the event of a no-deal outcome, we will ensure that people in Northern Ireland will still have access to European Health Insurance Cards.
Similarly, we will work to ensure third-level students in Northern Ireland will continue to be able to access the Erasmus+ higher education programme.
I welcome the proposal from the Commission that will enable the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes to continue until the end of 2020, even in the event of a disorderly Brexit. Work is also underway on a new PEACE PLUS programme that will build on and continue the work of PEACE and INTERREG. This will provide reassurance to all those who benefit from these vital cross-border programmes in Northern Ireland and the border counties.
Senators, our ability to advance our national interests and exert our influence - both within and beyond the EU – has never been more important.
We are working to deepen our influence within the EU, influence the debate on the Future of Europe, and diversify our trade with the wider world.
We have an ambitious vision of our role in the world. So, we launched the Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the scope, and impact, of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. This is something we should be doing even if there was no Brexit.
It means doing things differently doing more and doing them better:
- opening up new embassies and consulates around the world;
- expanding some of the ones that we have already;
- investing more in our agencies such as the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, and Tourism Ireland;
- sharing our cultural offering around the world;
- Developing new air and sea connections:
- Welcoming more International students to Ireland, and:
- Joining la Francophonie, the Asian and African development banks.
- Expanding our International Development Programme.
I believe, this is the most ambitious renewal and expansion of Ireland’s international presence since the foundation of the State.
At home we have developed some new initiatives to modernise local government.
On the 24th of May, the people of Cork City, Waterford and Limerick will be given the opportunity to have their say on whether they want to democratically elect their own mayor.
This is an important opportunity for these city regions to elect a mayor with real power and responsibility to drive their cities and counties forward. If approved, the Government will initiate legislation to allow for directly elected mayors to take up office in 2022. It’s a big change. Power transferred from unelected officials to an elected politicians truly accountable to the people. Decisions made in Cork, Waterford and Limerick for Cork, Waterford and Limerick rather than in Government Departments in Dublin.
But we are not forgetting about Dublin. Work is underway to establish a Dublin Citizens’ Assembly to consider what type of local government structure and directly elected mayor, if any, would be most appropriate to Dublin. Depending on the outcome of this Assembly, a plebiscite will be held on the subject in 2021.
A Cathaoirleach,
Seventy years on from Ireland becoming a Republic, we are living in epoch changing times.
We are a sovereign people in a participative democracy, influencing and shaping matters at the centre of multilateral decision making.
We are able to do so thanks to the efforts of the revolutionary generation who confirmed our sovereignty and independence with the passing of the Republic of Ireland Act. It is fitting that this House is giving time to acknowledge its passing.
For some the occasion of Ireland becoming a Republic in 1949 was a symbolic rather than a real change, for others it was the culmination of a lifelong dream.
Our history has shown that symbols matter, dreams matter. The achievement of 70 years ago was a significant moment in our development as a country. By remembering the achievements of the past, I believe we can take confidence in dealing with today’s challenges, and be inspired about the future.
I look forward to hearing your contributions.